Russian Translation(s) & Details for 'cleanliness'

English Word: cleanliness

Key Russian Translations:

• чистота [ʧɪˈsto.tə] - [Formal, commonly used in contexts of hygiene and tidiness]
• опрятность [ɐˈprʲæt.nəsʲtʲ] - [Informal, often for personal appearance or neatness]

Frequency: Medium (This word is commonly encountered in everyday Russian, especially in discussions about health, home maintenance, and public spaces, but not as frequent as basic vocabulary like "дом" or "еда").

Difficulty: B1 (Intermediate, based on CEFR; learners at this level can understand and use it in basic sentences, but mastering its inflections may require practice. For 'опрятность', difficulty is similar at B1.)

Pronunciation (Russian):

чистота: [ʧɪˈsto.tə]

Note on чистота: The stress falls on the second syllable ('sto'), and the 'ч' sound is a voiceless palatal fricative, similar to the 'ch' in 'church'. Be cautious with the soft 'т' in some regional accents.

Audio: []

опрятность: [ɐˈprʲæt.nəsʲtʲ]

Note on опрятность: The initial 'о' is pronounced as a short, unstressed vowel, and the word features palatalization on 'р' and 'т', which can be tricky for beginners.

Audio: []

Meanings and Usage:

Meaning 1: The state of being clean, tidy, or hygienic, often referring to physical cleanliness in environments or personal habits.

Translation(s) & Context:

• чистота - Used in formal or everyday contexts, such as describing household hygiene or environmental standards.
• опрятность - Applied in informal settings, like personal grooming or maintaining order in daily life.

Usage Examples:

• В нашей семье всегда поддерживается чистота в доме.

  In our family, we always maintain cleanliness in the house.

• Чистота улиц в Москве улучшилась благодаря новой программе уборки.

  The cleanliness of the streets in Moscow has improved due to the new cleaning program.

• Её опрятность и аккуратность всегда впечатляют гостей.

  Her neatness and cleanliness always impress the guests.

• В больнице строго контролируется чистота для предотвращения инфекций.

  In the hospital, cleanliness is strictly controlled to prevent infections.

• Поддержание опрятности в офисе помогает повысить продуктивность.

  Maintaining cleanliness in the office helps to increase productivity.

Meaning 2: Abstract or moral cleanliness, such as purity or moral uprightness (less common direct translation).

Translation(s) & Context:

• чистота - In metaphorical contexts, like moral or spiritual purity.

Usage Examples:

• Чистота души важна в русской литературе.

  The cleanliness (purity) of the soul is important in Russian literature.

• Эта традиция подчеркивает чистоту и честность в отношениях.

  This tradition emphasizes cleanliness (integrity) and honesty in relationships.

Russian Forms/Inflections:

'Чистота' is a feminine noun in the third declension, which means it follows standard patterns for Russian feminine nouns ending in -ота. It is invariable in plural forms for abstract concepts but can inflect by case and number. 'Оправность' is also a feminine noun with similar inflection rules.

For 'опрятность', the inflections are similar: Nominative singular: опрятность; Genitive singular: опрятности; etc. It is a regular feminine noun with no irregularities.

Russian Synonyms/Antonyms:

• Synonyms:
  • гигиена (hygiene; more specific to health-related cleanliness)
  • аккуратность (neatness; emphasizes precision and order)
• Antonyms:
  • грязь (dirt; used for physical uncleanliness)
  • хаос (chaos; for disorganized or messy states)

Related Phrases:

• соблюдать чистоту - To maintain cleanliness (used in contexts like home or public hygiene).
• поддерживать опрятность - To keep neatness (often in personal or professional settings).
• чистота и порядок - Cleanliness and order (a common phrase emphasizing both aspects in daily life).

Usage Notes:

'Чистота' directly corresponds to the English 'cleanliness' in most contexts, especially for physical or environmental states, and is preferred in formal writing or speech. 'Оправность' is a closer match for aspects of personal tidiness but is less versatile. Be mindful of the noun's gender (feminine) when using adjectives or verbs—e.g., 'большая чистота' (great cleanliness). In informal conversations, Russians might use these words interchangeably, but 'чистота' is more common in idiomatic expressions. When choosing between translations, opt for 'чистота' for broader applications and 'опрятность' for appearance-related scenarios.

Common Errors:

• Mistake: Using the wrong case, e.g., saying "Я люблю чистота" instead of "Я люблю чистоту" (Accusative case after "любить").
  Correct: "Я люблю чистоту." Explanation: Russian verbs require the correct case; here, Accusative is needed for direct objects.
• Mistake: Confusing with similar words, e.g., using "чистый" (clean, adjective) when "чистота" (noun) is required.
  Correct: "Чистота важна" instead of "Чистый важна." Explanation: "Чистый" is an adjective and must agree in gender, number, and case, while "чистота" is a noun.

Cultural Notes:

In Russian culture, 'чистота' often extends beyond physical cleanliness to symbolize moral purity or spiritual cleanliness, as seen in literature like Tolstoy's works. Historically, maintaining 'чистота' in homes and communities was emphasized during Soviet times for public health campaigns, reflecting values of collective responsibility and order.

Related Concepts:

• гигиена
• санитария
• аккуратность